Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed new legislation to make Indiana the third state to extend Medicaid coverage for doulas, who provide physical and emotional assistance for mothers.

The state must provide what are known as direct-acting antiviral medications by July 1. It’s part of an agreement between the state and the ACLU recently approved by a federal judge.

“Gateway to Work" is billed as a community engagement opportunity to help connect people with better employment opportunities. But some worry the changes will result in Hoosiers losing health insurance.

Recent testimony focused on how doulas could help improve Indiana’s poor infant and maternal mortality rates.

The state's Medicaid program, called the Healthy Indiana Plan, requires members to submit paperwork to the state every 12 months to verify their eligibility for Medicaid.

Indiana’s Medicaid program has been approved to add a work requirement starting next year. Director Allison Taylor says the state’s effort is unique.

Kentucky became the first state to require work as a condition for receiving Medicaid coverage in January. Indiana quickly followed suit.

Medicaid, a government-provided free health insurance program, is for low-income adults, those with disabilities who cannot work and others who meet specific criteria. Under the Affordable Care Act, states also have the right to expand Medicaid based on income alone.

If successful, the lawsuit could mean the end of federal support for Indiana’s Medicaid expansion, which is funded through the Affordable Care Act.

The changes are part of last week’s federal authorization, which allows Indiana to continue its Healthy Indiana Plan for another three years.